Neptunus wakkert een storm aan 1632 - 1633

Theodoor van Thulden created this print of Neptune stirring up a storm in the 17th century. During this period, the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, and depictions of the sea and its mythological ruler, Neptune, were particularly resonant, symbolizing power and control over the oceans. Van Thulden’s print captures a moment of intense activity and divine intervention. Neptune, traditionally figured as a virile older man, is shown commanding the elements, unleashing a storm upon the sea. The bodies of the figures here are idealized, recalling a classical aesthetic. The scene is turbulent, filled with figures struggling against the storm's force. Consider the role of mythology in shaping cultural values. Neptune's power reflects a society deeply invested in maritime trade and naval dominance, with all the attendant colonial implications. This print not only displays artistic skill but also embodies the complex relationship between humans and the natural world, and the drive to control it.